Multi-sensing channels design for pixel compensation

ABSTRACT

A driver of a display panel is provided. The driver includes a plurality of sensing channels configured to receive a plurality of sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensing lines and output the sensing signals, the sensing channels are coupled to the sensing lines in an arrangement selected from one of a random arrangement and a normal arrangement. The driver further includes a signal convertor coupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive the sensing signals from the sensing channels in a sequence selected from one of a random sequence and a normal sequence.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims thepriority benefit of a prior application Ser. No. 16/120,332, filed onSep. 3, 2018. The prior application Ser. No. 16/120,332 claims thepriority benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/590,347,filed on Nov. 23, 2017. The entirety of the above-mentioned patentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a partof this specification.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The invention relates to a multi-sensing channel design, andparticularly, a multi-sensing channels design for pixel compensation.

Description of Related Art

In compensation, the I-V characteristic of the thin-film transistor(TFT) in pixel or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is sensed andtransmitted to the sensing channels of the driver. The driver transmitsthe sensed data to a system on chip (SOC) so as to calculate the drivenvoltage value necessary for compensation to transmit to the driver foractual compensating. In the compensation pixel circuit, other than theconventional data line, a sensing line can sense the I-V characteristicof the TFT or OLED and transmits to the driver. After the sensingsignals are read, the SOC can perform more complex algorithm in thecompensation method, so as to compensate the threshold voltage (Vth)degradation of the TFT, non-uniformity of mobility, and OLED aging, etc.The technical difficulty of compensation is how to achieve highresolution and high precision of the I-V characteristic of the TFT andOLED.

In order to prevent the aperture ratio from being affected when thereare too many sensing lines, a plurality of pixels usually share onesensing line. In addition, when designing the driver integrated circuit(IC), in order to avoid high cost and high power consumption due tousing many signal convertor, a plurality of sensing channels aredesigned to share one signal convertor. The sensing signals aresequentially transmitted from the sensing lines to the sensing channels,respectively. However, when sequentially transmitting the sensingsignals to the signal convertor, the hold time of the electrical chargein each of the sensing channels is different from each other. Therefore,the gain error and the offset error of each of the sensing channels aredifferent from each other, which causes the abnormal display.

SUMMARY

To make the aforementioned more comprehensible, several embodimentsaccompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows.

The invention is directed to a multi-sensing channels design for pixelcompensation, which can improve the poor uniformity of the displaypanel.

An embodiment of the invention provides a driver of a display panel. Thedriver includes a plurality of sensing channels and a signal convertor.The plurality of sensing channels are configured to receive a pluralityof sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensinglines and output the sensing signals. The sensing channels are coupledto the sensing lines in an arrangement different from a normalarrangement. The normal arrangement indicates that the sensing channelsare sequentially coupled to the sensing lines. The signal convertor iscoupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive the sensingsignals from the sensing channels in a normal sequence. The normalsequence indicates that the signal convertor sequentially receives thesensing signals from the sensing channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing channels are coupled tothe sensing lines in a random arrangement. The random arrangementindicates that the sensing channels are randomly coupled to the sensinglines.

In an embodiment of the invention, the driver further includes aplurality of input pads and a plurality of first switch elements. Theplurality of input pads are corresponding to the sensing lines. Theplurality of first switch elements are coupled between the input padsand the sensing channels. The first switch elements are coupled to thesensing channels according to the random arrangement.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first switch elements arecontrolled by a first control signal. The first switch elements areconducted by the first control signal at the same time when the sensingchannels receive the sensing signals from the display panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the driver further includes aplurality of second switch elements. The plurality of second switchelements are coupled between the sensing channels and the signalconvertor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second switch elements arecontrolled by a plurality of second control signals. The second switchelements are conducted according to the normal sequence by the secondcontrol signals when the sensing channels output the sensing signals tothe signal convertor.

An embodiment of the invention provides a driver of a display panel. Thedriver includes a plurality of sensing channels and a signal convertor.The plurality of sensing channels are configured to receive a pluralityof sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensinglines and output the sensing signals. The sensing channels are coupledto the sensing lines in a normal arrangement. The normal arrangementindicates that the sensing channels are sequentially coupled to thesensing lines. The signal convertor is coupled to the sensing channelsand configured to receive the sensing signals from the sensing channelsin a sequence different from a normal sequence. The normal sequenceindicates that the signal convertor sequentially receives the sensingsignals from the sensing channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the signal convertor receives thesensing signals from the sensing channels in a random sequence. Therandom sequence indicates that the signal convertor randomly receivesthe sensing signals from the sensing channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the driver further includes aplurality of input pads and a plurality of first switch elements. Theplurality of input pads are corresponding to the sensing lines. Theplurality of first switch elements are coupled between the input padsand the sensing channels. The first switch elements are coupled to thesensing channels according to the normal arrangement.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first switch elements arecontrolled by a first control signal. The first switch elements areconducted by the first control signal at the same time when the sensingchannels receive the sensing signals from the display panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the driver further includes aplurality of second switch elements. The plurality of second switchelements, coupled between the sensing channels and the signal convertor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second switch elements arecontrolled by a plurality of second control signals. The second switchelements are conducted according to the random sequence by the secondcontrol signals when the sensing channels output the sensing signals tothe signal convertor.

An embodiment of the invention provides a driver of a display panel. Thedriver includes a plurality of sensing channels and a signal convertor.The plurality of sensing channels are configured to receive a pluralityof sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensinglines and output the sensing signals. The sensing channels are coupledto the sensing lines in a random arrangement. The random arrangementindicates that the sensing channels are randomly coupled to the sensinglines. The signal convertor is coupled to the sensing channels andconfigured to receive the sensing signals from the sensing channels in asequence different from a random sequence. The random sequence indicatesthat the signal convertor randomly receives the sensing signals from thesensing channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the signal convertor receives thesensing signals from the sensing channels in a normal sequence. Thenormal sequence indicates that the signal convertor sequentiallyreceives the sensing signals from the sensing channels.

An embodiment of the invention provides a driver of a display panel. Thedriver includes a plurality of sensing channels and a signal convertor.The plurality of sensing channels are configured to receive a pluralityof sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensinglines and output the sensing signals. The sensing channels are coupledto the sensing lines in an arrangement different from a randomarrangement. The random arrangement indicates that the sensing channelsare randomly coupled to the sensing lines. The signal convertor iscoupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive the sensingsignals from the sensing channels in a random sequence. The randomsequence indicates that the signal convertor randomly receives thesensing signals from the sensing channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing channels are coupled tothe sensing lines in a normal arrangement. The normal arrangementindicates that the sensing channels are sequentially coupled to thesensing lines.

Based on the above, in the invention, by randomly outputting the sensingsignals to the signal convertor, the compensating values having greaterand smaller values due to gain error and offset error are randomly usedto the pixels on the display panel, so as to improve the uniformity ofthe display panel. In addition, each of the hold times of the sensingchannels is averaged and the hold times of the sensing signals areconsistent with each other so that the performance of each of thesensing channels is similar to each other. As a result, the compensatingvalue is accurately calculated so as to reduce or even eliminate thepoor uniformity of the display panel.

The abovementioned features and advantages of the invention will becomemore obvious and better understood with regard to the followingdescription of the exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings inthe below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a graph illustrating hold times of sensing channels of theembodiment in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a schematic view illustrating one of the sensing channels ofthe embodiment in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a graph illustrating hold times of sensing channels of theembodiment in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a graph depicting the relationship between the sensingchannels and the gain error or offset error.

FIG. 3A is a graph illustrating a normal sequence of outputting sensingsignals to the signal convertor according to the third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating a reverse sequence of outputting sensingsignals to the signal convertor according to the third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between performance andsensing channels in normal sequence.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between performance andsensing channels in reverse sequence.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a relationship between performance andsensing channels after the normal sequence and reverse sequence arealternately performed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver according tothe fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are simplified schematic views illustrating circuitin the driver in different arrangements according to the fourthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a graph illustrating hold times of sensing channels of thefifth embodiment in FIG. 7A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers areused in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, a driver11 and a display panel 10 are coupled to each other through a pluralityof sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N. It should be noted here, N is an integerequal to or greater than 1. To be more specific, the driver 11 includesa plurality of sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The sensing channels111_1 to 111_N are configured to receive a plurality of sensing signalsSS_1 to SS_N from the display panel 10 via the sensing lines 12_1 to12_N and to output the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N. The sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N ina random arrangement. In addition, the driver 11 further includes asignal convertor SC (such as an analog-to-digital converter) coupled tothe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The driver 11 is configured toreceive the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels 111_1to 111_N in a normal sequence. It should be further noted here, in thepresent embodiment, the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N are sequentiallyarranged from one side (left side) to an opposite side (right side) ofthe display panel 10. The sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N are outputtedfrom the display panel 10 to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N,respectively. Further, in other embodiments, the sensing channels may becoupled to the sensing lines in an arrangement selected from one of arandom arrangement and a normal arrangement, and the signal convertormay be coupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive thesensing signals from the sensing channels in a sequence selected fromone of a random sequence and a normal sequence, the invention is notlimited thereto. The random arrangement, the normal arrangement, therandom sequence and the normal sequence are further explainedhereinafter.

The driver 11 further includes a plurality of input pads 113_1 to 113_Ncorresponding to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N. The driver 11 furtherincludes a plurality of first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N coupledbetween the input pads 113_1 to 113_N and the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N. The first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N are coupled to thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N according to the random arrangement.That is to say, in the present embodiment, the sensing lines 12_1 to12_N and the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are randomly coupled toeach other through the input pads 113_1 to 113_N and the first switchelements 110_1 to 110_N.

The driver 11 further includes a plurality of second switch elements112_1 to 112_N coupled between the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N andthe signal convertor SC. That is to say, in the present embodiment, thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to the signal convertor SCthrough the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N.

The first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N are controlled by a firstcontrol signal S0. The first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N areconducted by the first control signal S0 at the same time when thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N receives the sensing signals from thedisplay panel 10. In other words, the first control signal S0 controlsthe first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N to turn on at the same time soas to receive the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the display panel10.

The second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N are controlled by a pluralityof second control signals S1 to SN, respectively. The second switchelements 112_1 to 112_N are conducted according to the normal sequenceby the second control signals S1 to SN when the sensing channels 111_1to 111_N outputs the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N to the signalconvertor SC. In other words, the second control signal S1 to the secondcontrol signal SN respectively control the second switch element 112_1to the second switch element 112_N to turn on (conduct) one afteranother so as to output the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N to the signalconvertor SC. The sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N are randomly stored inthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N.

The control signals, such as the first control signal S0 and the secondcontrol signals S1 to SN, are provided from one or more controllers (notshown). These controllers are disposed inside the driver 11 or outsidethe driver 11, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The random arrangement and the normal sequence in the present embodimentare further explained as follows. Again, in the present embodiment, thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to12_N in the random arrangement through the input pads 113_1 to 113_N andthe first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N. The signal convertor SCreceives the sensing signals from the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N inthe normal sequence through the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N.For example, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are randomly coupled tothe sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N. Hence, the sensing channel 111_1 may notbe coupled to the sensing line 12_1, the sensing channel 111_2 may notbe coupled to the sensing line 12_2, and so on, up to the sensingchannel 111_N may not be coupled to the sensing line 12_N. As shown inFIG. 1A, for example, the sensing channel 111_1 may be coupled to thesensing line 12_3, the sensing channel 1112 may be coupled to thesensing line 12_4, the sensing channel 111_3 may be coupled to thesensing line 12_1, and the sensing channel 111_4 may be coupled to thesensing line 12_2. Further, the sensing channel 111_N−1 may be coupledto the sensing line 12_N, and the sensing channel 111_N may be coupledto the sensing line 12_N−1. Additionally, the signal convertor SCreceives the sensing signals sequentially from the sensing channel 111_1to the sensing channel 111_N. Therefore, the signal convertor SC mayreceive the sensing signal from the sensing channel 111_1, the sensingsignal from the sensing channel 111_2, and so on, up to the sensingsignal from the sensing channel 111_N one after another.

Herein, the signal convertor SC receives the sensing signalssequentially from the sensing channel 111_1 to the sensing channel111_N. However, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to thesensing lines 12_1 to 12_N in the random arrangement. Therefore, thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N are respectively stored into the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N in a random order when the first switch elements110_1 to 110_N conduct at the same time. Thus, the sensing signals SS_1to SS_N are not sequentially, in an order from the sensing signal SS_1to the sensing signal SS_N, received by the signal convertor SC. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1A, the signal convertor SC receives thesensing signal SS_3 stored in the sensing channel 111_1 first. Thesignal convertor SC then receives the sensing signal SS_4 stored in thesensing channel 111_2, the sensing signal SS_1 stored in the sensingchannel 111_3, the sensing signal SS_2 stored in the sensing channel111_4, and so on. Finally, the signal convertor SC receives the sensingsignal SS_N stored in the sensing channel 11_N−1 and the sensing signalSS_N−1 stored in the sensing channel 11_N one after another.

That is to say, in the driver 11 shown in FIG. 1A of the presentembodiment, the first control signal S0 controls the first switchelements 110_1 to 110_N to conduct at the same time. Hence, the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N are randomly stored in the sensing channels 111_1to 111_N at the same time. The second switch elements 112_1 to 112_Nsequentially conduct (turn on), in an order from the second switchelement 112_1 to the second switch element 112_N, to output the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N to the signal convertor SC. Thus, the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N are randomly outputted to the signal convertor SC.In particular, since the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N are randomly coupledto the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N, the sensing signal SS_1 of thesensing line 12_1 is not the first sensing signal outputted to thesignal convertor SC and does not have the shortest hold time. Similarly,the sensing signal SS_2 of the sensing line 12_2 is not the secondsensing signal outputted to the signal convertor SC. The sensing signalSS_N of the sensing line 12_N is not the final sensing signal outputtedto the signal convertor SC and has the longest hold time. As a result,the effect of randomly outputting the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N tothe signal convertor SC can be achieved.

FIG. 1B is a graph illustrating hold times of sensing channels of theembodiment in FIG. 1A. The hold time of one sensing channel is the timebetween the time that the first control signal S0 is off and the timethat the second control signal of that sensing channel is on. In otherwords, the hold time is the time that the sensing signal is held in thesensing channel. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, the sensingsignal having the shortest hold time is the sensing signal SS_3 (insteadof the sensing signal SS_1) stored in the sensing channel 111_1. Inaddition, the sensing signal having the longest hold time is the sensingsignal SS_N−1 (instead of the sensing signal SS_N) stored in the sensingchannel 11_N. The invention is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, by randomly outputting the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N tothe signal convertor SC, the sensing signal SS_1 does not have theshortest hold time and thus does not have the lowest attenuation level,and the sensing signal SS_N does not have the longest hold time and thusdoes not have the greatest attenuation level. That is to say, thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N do not have the attenuation level graduallyincrease from the sensing signal SS_1 to the sensing signal SS_N.Instead, the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N have random attenuationlevels. The system, such as timing controller or television controllerchip having time controlling function, provides different compensatingvalues for the display data according to the sensing signals SS_1 toSS_N outputted to the signal convertor SC. If a sensing signal has alower attenuation level due to shorter hold time, the compensating valueaccording to that sensing signal is smaller. If a sensing signal has agreater attenuation level due to longer hold time, the compensatingvalue according to that sensing signal is greater. As a result, thegreater compensating values are randomly distributed on the displaypanel 10, and similarly, the smaller compensating values are randomlydistributed on the display panel 10. The compensating value may be avoltage value, the invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1C is a schematic view illustrating one of the sensing channels ofthe embodiment in FIG. 1A. To be more specific, the sensing channel111_1 is shown in FIG. 1C as an example. The sensing channel 111_1 isconnected to the first switch element 110_1 controlled by the firstcontrol signal S0. The sensing channel 111_1 is connected to the secondswitch elements 112_1 controlled by the second control signal S1.Additionally, the sensing channel 111_1 includes a capacitor C which isused to store one of the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N. However, theinvention is not limited thereto, the sensing channel may include morethan one capacitor or may include a capacitor array. The other sensingchannels are the same as or similar to the sensing channel 111_1 asshown in FIG. 1C.

Although the compensating value for display data of each pixel isdifferent from each other, human eye cannot distinguish the brightnessdifference between two adjacent pixels and normally perceive thebrightness of a region of the display panel as a whole. Therefore, forhuman eye, strip-shaped blocks with clear boundary showing brightnessdifference do not appear on the display panel 10, so as to improve theuniformity of the display panel 10.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B is a graphillustrating hold times of sensing channels of the embodiment in FIG.2A. FIG. 2C is a graph depicting the relationship between the sensingchannels and the gain error or offset error in the second embodiment.Compared to the previous embodiment, the same reference numbers indicatethe same or similar elements in the present embodiment, only thedifferences between the two embodiments are described hereinafter.

In the present embodiment, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N arecoupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N in the normal arrangement. Thesignal convertor SC receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N in the random sequence. As an exampleshown in FIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, the sensing channel 111_1is coupled to the sensing line 12_1, the sensing channel 111_2 iscoupled to the sensing line 12_2, and so on. Finally, the sensingchannel 111_N is coupled to the sensing line 12_N. In addition, thesignal convertor SC does not receive the sensing signal SS_1 from thesensing channel 111_1 to the sensing signal SS_N from the sensingchannel 111_N one after another. The sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N fromthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are randomly received by the signalconvertor SC.

To be more specific, the first switch elements 110_1 to 110_N arecoupled to the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N according to the normalarrangement. That is to say, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N arecoupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N through the first switchelements 110_1 to 110_N, respectively.

In addition, the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N are conductedaccording to the random sequence by the second control signals S1 to SNwhen the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N outputs the sensing signals tothe signal convertor SC. That is to say, the second control signals S1to SN control the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N to turn on(conduct) randomly so as to randomly output the sensing signals SS_1 toSS_N to the signal convertor SC.

As an example shown in FIG. 2B, after storing the sensing signals SS_1to SS_N in the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N, the second controlsignal S2 controls the second switch element 112_2 to turn on (conduct)and output the sensing signals SS_2. Next, the second control signal S4controls the second switch element 112_4 to turn on (conduct) and outputthe sensing signals SS_4, the second control signal S3 controls thesecond switch element 112_3 to turn on (conduct) and output the sensingsignals SS_3, and so on. Finally, the second control signal SN−1controls the second switch element 112_N−1 to turn on (conduct) andoutput the sensing signals SS_N−1, and the second control signal S1controls the second switch element 112_1 to turn on (conduct) and outputthe sensing signal SS_1. The sensing period ends.

However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments,other sequence of outputting the sensing signals can be adopted. Forexample, there may be more than one sensing periods. In the firstsensing period, the odd-numbered second switch elements (such as thesecond switch elements 112_1, 112_3, 112_5, etc.) are sequentiallyturned on, and then the even-numbered second switch elements (such asthe second switch elements 112_2, 112_4, 112_6, etc.) are sequentiallyturned on. In the next sensing period, the sequence of turning on(conducting) the second switch elements is the same as or different fromthe first sensing period.

In the present embodiment, the performance of the sensing channel 111_1is not the best, and the performance of the sensing channel 111_N is notthe worst. The performance may be the gain error and the offset error ofthe sensing channel, the invention is not limited thereto. In otherwords, the gain error and the offset error of the sensing channel 111_1is not lowest and the gain error and the offset error of the sensingchannel 11_N is not highest, as shown in FIG. 2C.

Therefore, the effect of randomly outputting the sensing signals SS_1 toSS_N to the signal convertor SC is also achieved so as to improve theuniformity of the display panel 10 after compensation, as describedabove.

In the present embodiment, the driver 11 may further include a cachememory used to store a plurality of digital sensing signals which areoutputted from the signal convertor SC corresponding to the sensingchannel 111_1 to 111_N. When the sensing period is completed, the driver11, again, sends the digital sensing signals to the system according tothe sequence required by the system. In other words, the system canstill receive the digital sensing signals that sequentiallycorresponding to the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The system doesnot need to obtain information about which sequence the driver 11process the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N.

FIG. 3A is a graph illustrating a normal sequence of outputting sensingsignals to the signal convertor according to the third embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating a reverse sequence ofoutputting sensing signals to the signal convertor according to thethird embodiment of the invention. Compared to the previous embodiments,the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements in thepresent embodiment, only the differences between the embodiments aredescribed hereinafter.

In the third embodiment, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are coupledto the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N in the normal arrangement. However,the signal convertor SC receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N fromthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N in different sequences duringdifferent sensing periods. That is to say, the signal convertor SCreceives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N in a first sequence during a first sensing period. Thesignal convertor SC receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N in a second sequence during a secondsensing period. The first sequence and the second sequence arecomplementary. The first sequence is selected from one of a normalsequence and a reverse sequence, and the second sequence is selectedfrom another one of the normal sequence and the reverse sequence.

In the third embodiment, the first sequence is a normal sequence and thesecond sequence is a reverse sequence, as an example, and the inventionis not limited thereto.

Further, the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N are controlled by aplurality of second control signals S1 to SN. The second switch elements112_1 to 112_N are conducted according to the different sequences duringthe different sensing periods by the second control signals S1 to SNwhen the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N outputs the sensing signalsSS_1 to SS_N to the signal convertor SC.

To be more specific, as an example shown in FIG. 3A, in the firstsensing period, the second switch elements 112_1 to 112_N aresequentially conducted (turned on), so as to sequentially output thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N to the signal convertor SC. That is to say,in the first sensing period, the signal convertor SC receives thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N inthe normal sequence. However, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the second sensingperiod, the second switch element 112_N back to the second switchelement 112_1 are sequentially conducted (turned on), so as tosequentially output the sensing signals SS_N to SS_1 to the signalconvertor SC. That is to say, in the second sensing period, the signalconvertor SC receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N in the reverse sequence. In other words, indifferent sensing periods, the sensing signal outputted from the samesensing channel to the signal convertor SC has different temporal ordersin the outputting sequence (normal sequence and reverse sequence). As aresult, the sensing signal outputted from the same sensing channel hasdifferent hold times in different sensing periods.

When the driver 11 and the system co-work to calculate the gain errorand the offset error of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N forcalibration purpose, the signals received by the sensing channels 111_1to 111_N are not from the display panel but given voltages provided tothe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The given voltages have differentlevels continuous one after another within a voltage range. For each ofthe input voltages having different levels, a plurality of sensingperiods having different sequences are performed (e.g., normal sequenceand reverse sequence are alternately performed once or multiple times).Hence, the sequence of outputting the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N fromthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N to the signal convertor SC is alsoalternately changed/switched according to the sensing periods.Accordingly, the system obtains a plurality of digital sensing signalsaccording to a plurality of sensing periods for each of the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N, so as to calculate an output average signalcorresponding to each of the different input voltages, and then tocalculate the gain error and offset error to be recorded in the system.As a result, the gain error/offset error in the transfer formula isobtained in a way more accurate compared to the conventional art. Sincemany different sequences of outputting sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N tothe signal convertor SC are performed, the effect of the fixed length ofthe hold time for each sensing channel is reduced and averaged. In otherwords, each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N has more than onehold time so as to average the hold time of each of the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N.

When the driver 11 and the system co-work in real time sensing, thesignals received by the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are from thedisplay panel 10 and are the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N. In addition,the driver 11 performs a plurality of sensing periods, and the sequenceof outputting the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N to the signal convertor SC is alternatelychanged/switched according to the sensing periods. The system obtains aplurality of digital sensing signals in a plurality of sensing periodsof each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N, so as to calculate adigital average value. As a result, the digital average valuescorresponding to the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are substantiallyequal to each other. The system further substitute the digital averagevalue for the value of Code in the transfer formulaCode′=(Code-offset)/gain, so as to obtain the value of Code′, and thencalculate the compensating value of the display data of a region of thedisplay panel according to the value of Code′. Wherein, in the transferformula, “offset” is the offset error of the signal convertor SC, “gain”is the gain error of the signal convertor SC, Code is real time sensingvalue, and Code′ is the actual sensing value calculated by the transferformula.

In other words, the signal convertor SC converts the sensing signalsSS_1 to SS_N of analog format into the sensing signals of digital formatand outputs the sensing signals of digital format. An average signal(the digital average value) of the sensing signals outputted from thesignal convertor SC during the different sensing periods is calculatedfor each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N.

Accordingly, the calculated compensating value is close to the realcompensating value of the display data of that region of the displaypanel 10, so as to reduce or even eliminate the poor uniformity of thedisplay panel 10, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. FIG. 4A is a diagramillustrating a relationship between performance and sensing channels innormal sequence. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a relationshipbetween performance and sensing channels in reverse sequence. FIG. 4C isa diagram illustrating a relationship between performance and sensingchannels after the normal sequence and reverse sequence are alternatelyperformed.

However, the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,the system may obtain a plurality of digital sensing signals in aplurality of sensing periods of each of the sensing channels, and thensubstitute for Code in the transfer formula to obtain a plurality ofCode′ values in order to obtain a plurality of compensating valuesaccordingly. Finally, the plurality of compensating values are averagedto obtain an average compensating value.

In the present embodiment, the normal sequence (outputting the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N sequentially) and reverse sequence (outputting thesignals SS_N to SS_1 sequentially) are alternately performed as anexample. There may be more than two different sequences performed, andthe invention is not limited thereto. As long as the same sensingchannel has a chance to correspond to both smaller hold time and longerhold time, which is equivalent to a situation that the average holdtimes of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are substantially equal toeach other. One example is shown in Table 1, there are 10 sensingchannels in total, the sequences of outputting the sensing signals SS_1to SS_10 from the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_10 to the signalconvertor SC are the first sequence and the second sequence which arealternately performed.

TABLE 1 Channel 111_1 111_2 111_3 111_4 111_5 111_6 111_7 111_8 111_9111_10 First Sequence 1 10 2 9 3 8 4 7 5 6 Second Sequence 10 1 9 2 8 37 4 6 5

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver according tothe fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B aresimplified schematic views illustrating circuit in the driver indifferent arrangements according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

In the fourth embodiment, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N arecoupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N with different arrangementsduring different sensing periods. That is to say, the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N are coupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N with afirst arrangement during a first sensing period, and the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_Nwith a second arrangement during a second sensing period. The firstarrangement and the second arrangement are complementary.

In the present embodiment, the first arrangement is selected from one ofa normal arrangement and a reverse arrangement, and the secondarrangement is selected from another one of the normal arrangement andthe reverse arrangement.

In addition, a plurality of first switch elements 110 a_1 to 110 a_N arecontrolled by a first control signal S0 a. The first switch elements 110a_1 to 110 a_N are conducted by the first control signal S0 a at thesame time during the first sensing period when the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from thedisplay panel 10 as shown in FIG. 6A. A plurality of second switchelements 110 b_1 to 110 b_N are controlled by a second control signal S0b. The second switch elements 110 b_1 to 110 b_N are conducted by thesecond control signal S0 b at the same time during the second sensingperiod when the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N receives the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N from the display panel 10, as shown in FIG. 6B.

Further, a plurality of third switch elements 112_1 to 112_N are coupledbetween the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N and the signal convertor SC.The third switch elements 112_1 to 112_N are controlled by a pluralityof third control signals S1 to SN. The third switch elements 112_1 to112_N are conducted according to a sequence of the third control signalsS1 to SN when the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N outputs the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N to the signal convertor SC. The signal convertor SCconverts the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N of analog format into thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N of digital format. Additionally, the signalconvertor SC outputs the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N of digital format.An average signal of the sensing signals outputted from the signalconvertor SC during the different sensing periods is calculated for eachof the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N.

Furthermore, the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are coupled to thesensing lines 12_1 to 12_N with a first arrangement during a first setof sensing periods and with a second arrangement complementary to thefirst arrangement during a second set of sensing periods as shown inFIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. Each of the first set of sensing periods and thesecond set of sensing periods includes at least a first sensing periodand a second sensing period. The signal convertor SC receives thesensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N ina first sequence during the first sensing period. The signal convertorSC receives the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N from the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N in a second sequence during the second sensing period.The first sequence and the second sequence are complementary. Thedetails about the same sensing line corresponding to different sensingchannels at different time to perform compensating will be furtherdescribed as follows.

In the fourth embodiment, because of process gradient, the capacitancevalue of the capacitor array in each of the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N is different from each other. In the driver 11, the circuitbetween the input pads 113_1 to 113_N and the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N may be designed so that each of the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N maybe coupled to different sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N at differenttimes (different sensing periods).

The concept of time sharing and averaging is adopted, so the system canobtain a plurality of digital sensing signals through different sensingchannels so as to calculate an average value. As shown in FIG. 5, thesensing line 12_1 is coupled to not only the sensing channel 111_1 butalso the sensing channel 111_N. In the first sensing period as shown inFIG. 6A, in a normal arrangement, the sensing signal SS_1 sensed by thesensing line 12_1 is stored in the sensing channel 111_1 which has arelatively larger capacitance value. In the second sensing period asshown in FIG. 6B, in a reverse arrangement, the sensing signal SS_1sensed by the sensing line 12_1 is stored in the sensing channel 111_Nwhich has a relatively smaller capacitance value.

When the driver 11 and the system co-work to calculate the gain errorand the offset error of the sensing channels 11_1 to 111_N forcalibration purpose, the signals received by the sensing channels 111_1to 111_N are not from the display panel but given voltages provided tothe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The given voltages have differentlevels continuous one after another within a voltage range. For each ofthe input voltages having different levels, a plurality of sensingperiods are performed. In these sensing periods, although the sensingsignals SS_1 to SS_N are still sequentially outputted from the sensingchannel 111_1 to the sensing channel 111_N to the signal convertor SC,the corresponding arrangement between the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N andthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N is alternately changed/switchedaccording to different sensing periods. Accordingly, the system obtainsa plurality of digital sensing signals according to a plurality ofsensing periods for each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N, so asto calculate an output average signal corresponding to each of thedifferent input voltages. Next, the system calculates the gain error andoffset error to be recorded in the system. As a result, the gainerror/offset error in the transfer formula is obtained in a way moreaccurate compared to the conventional art. Since the correspondingarrangement between the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N and the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N is changed/switched, the effect of the fixedlength of the hold time for each sensing channel is reduced andaveraged. In other words, each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_Nhas more than one hold time so as to average the hold time of each ofthe sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N.

When the driver 11 and the system co-work in real time sensing, thesignals received by the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N are from thedisplay panel 10 and are the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N, the driver 11performs a plurality of sensing periods. The corresponding arrangementbetween the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N and the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N is alternately changed/switched according to the sensing periods.The system in the present embodiment is the same as the system in thethird embodiment. In the present embodiment, the system obtains aplurality of digital sensing signals in a plurality of sensing periodsof each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N, so as to calculate adigital average value. The system further substitute the digital averagevalue for the value of Code in the transfer formulaCode′=(Code-offset)/gain, so as to obtain the value of Code′. Then, thesystem calculates the compensating value of the display data of a regionof the display panel according to the value of Code′. Wherein, in thetransfer formula, “offset” is the offset error of the signal convertorSC, “gain” is the gain error of the signal convertor SC, Code is realtime sensing value, and Code′ is the actual sensing value calculated bythe transfer formula. Accordingly, the calculated compensating value isclose to the real compensating value of the display data of that regionof the display panel 10, so as to reduce or even eliminate the pooruniformity of the display panel 10. In addition, similar to the thirdembodiment, the system may not average a plurality of digital sensingsignals obtained, and may average a plurality of compensating values inorder to obtain an average compensating value.

As shown in Table 2, Type 1 is the compensating method of the sensingchannels 111_1 to 111_N described in the third embodiment. Type 2 is thecompensating method of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N described inthe fourth embodiment. The terms “normal” and “reverse” mean the normalsequence/arrangement and reverse sequence/arrangement, respectively, andare described in the above-mentioned embodiments. For each sensingchannel, “1 Packet” means that the driver 11 sends two digital sensingsignals, which are obtained from one sensing channel in two sensingperiods (normal sequence/arrangement and reverse sequence/arrangement),to the system. In another way, the driver 11 may also average the twodigital sensing signals first and send the average value to the system.

TABLE 2 Compensation Type Time sequence --> Method I Type I NormalReverse Normal Reverse Normal Reverse Normal Reverse 1 Packet 1 Packet 1Packet 1 Packet Method II Type II Normal Reverse Normal Reverse NormalReverse Normal Reverse 1 Packet 1 Packet 1 Packet 1 Packet Method IIIType I Normal Reverse Normal Reverse Normal Reverse Normal Reverse TypeII Normal Reverse Normal Reverse 1 Packet 1 Packet

There is also another embodiment described in Table 2, this embodiment(method III) is a combination of the third embodiment (Type 1) and thefourth embodiment (Type 2) and uses four sensing periods as a cycle.When the arrangement between the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N and thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N is a normal arrangement, two sensingperiods are performed, and the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N areoutputted to the signal convertor SC in normal sequence and reversesequence. Next, when the arrangement between the sensing lines 12_1 to12_N and the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N is a reverse arrangement,two sensing periods are performed, and the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_Nare outputted to the signal convertor SC in normal sequence and reversesequence. The driver 11 sends four digital sensing signals (or anaverage value of the four digital sensing signals) obtained in foursensing periods for each sensing channel to the system, so that thesystem calculates offset error/gain error or the compensating value ofdisplay data in real-time sensing.

It should be noted that, in the plurality of sensing periods of theabove-mentioned embodiments, there are two types of sequences ofoutputting sensing signals to the signal convertor SC and there are twotypes of arrangements between the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N and thesensing channels 111_1 to 111_N. The two types of sequences arealternately changed/switched, and the two types of arrangements are alsoalternately changed/switched. However, when the number of sensingperiods increases to have many cycles along with the time sequence shownin Table 2, the embodiments of the invention are not limited tocontinuously and alternately changed/switched between two sequences andtwo arrangements. Take Type 1 (the third embodiment) as an example, thenormal sequence is used in the first sensing period of the first cycle,and the reverse sequence is used in the second sensing period of thefirst cycle. Next, the reverse sequence is used in the first sensingperiod of the second cycle, and the normal sequence is used in thesecond sensing period of the second cycle. The reason is that the systemonly need to receive the predetermined number of the digital sensingsignals, for each sensing channel, to calculate the average value. Inaddition, the system does not need to obtain information about thesequence of the sensing signals received in the driver 11.

In other words, the average hold times of the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the compensatingvalue is accurately calculated so as to reduce or even eliminate thepoor uniformity of the display panel 10.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating circuit in a driver accordingto the fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is a graphillustrating hold times of sensing channels of the fifth embodiment inFIG. 7A.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N are coupled to the sensing lines 12_1 to 12_N in the normalarrangement. The signal convertor SC receives the sensing signals SS_1to SS_N from the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N in the normal sequence.Each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N has a hold time for therespective sensing signal in the sensing signals SS_1 to SS_N. The holdtimes of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N substantially have the sametime length.

As further shown in FIG. 7B, for each of the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N, the corresponding one in the first control signals SA_1 to SA_Nincludes an active pulse ending at a first edge and the correspondingone in the second control signals SB_1 to SB_N includes an active pulsestarting at a second edge. The hold time of each of the sensing channels111_1 to 111_N for the respective sensing signal starts at the firstedge of the corresponding one in the first control signals SA_1 to SA_Nand ends at the second edge of the corresponding one in the secondcontrol signals SB_1 to SB_N. For example, the hold time of the sensingchannel 111_1 for the respective sensing signal SS_1 starts at the firstedge of the first control signal SA_1 and ends at the second edge of thesecond control signal SB_1. The time length between the first edge ofthe first control signal SA_1 and the second edge of the second controlsignal SB_1 is the hold time of the sensing channel 111_1.

In other words, since the poor uniformity of the display panel is causedby different lengths of the hold times of the sensing channels 111_1 to111_N, one way to improve the uniformity of the display panel is keepingthe hold times of the sensing channels consistent with each other. Asshown in FIG. 7A, the driver 11 may include a control circuit (notshown) controlling each of the first switch elements SA_1 to SA_N to beturned on (conducted) for a period of time before the second switchelement of the same sensing channel is turned on (conducted), so thatthe hold time of each of the sensing channels 111_1 to 111_N isconsistent with each other.

Summarily, in the invention, by the randomly outputting the sensingsignals to the signal convertor, the compensating values having greaterand smaller values due to gain error and offset error are randomly usedto the pixels on the display panel, so as to improve the uniformity ofthe display panel. In addition, each of the hold times of the sensingchannels is averaged and the hold times of the sensing signals areconsistent with each other so that the performance of each of thesensing channels is similar to each other. The compensating value isaccurately calculated so as to reduce or even eliminate the pooruniformity of the display panel.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view ofthe foregoing, it is intended that the disclosure covers modificationsand variations provided that they fall within the scope of the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A driver of a display panel, the drivercomprising: a plurality of sensing channels, configured to receive aplurality of sensing signals from the display panel via a plurality ofsensing lines and output the sensing signals, wherein the sensingchannels are coupled to the sensing lines in an arrangement differentfrom a normal arrangement, wherein the normal arrangement indicates thatthe sensing channels are sequentially coupled to the sensing lines; anda signal convertor, coupled to the sensing channels and configured toreceive the sensing signals from the sensing channels in a normalsequence, wherein the normal sequence indicates that the signalconvertor sequentially receives the sensing signals from the sensingchannels.
 2. The driver according to claim 1, wherein the sensingchannels are coupled to the sensing lines in a random arrangement,wherein the random arrangement indicates that the sensing channels arerandomly coupled to the sensing lines.
 3. The driver according to claim2, further comprising: a plurality of input pads, corresponding to thesensing lines; and a plurality of first switch elements, coupled betweenthe input pads and the sensing channels, wherein the first switchelements are coupled to the sensing channels according to the randomarrangement.
 4. The driver according to claim 3, wherein the firstswitch elements are controlled by a first control signal, and the firstswitch elements are conducted by the first control signal at the sametime when the sensing channels receive the sensing signals from thedisplay panel.
 5. The driver according to claim 3, further comprising: aplurality of second switch elements, coupled between the sensingchannels and the signal convertor.
 6. The driver according to claim 5,wherein the second switch elements are controlled by a plurality ofsecond control signals, and the second switch elements are conductedaccording to the normal sequence by the second control signals when thesensing channels output the sensing signals to the signal convertor. 7.A driver of a display panel, the driver comprising: a plurality ofsensing channels, configured to receive a plurality of sensing signalsfrom the display panel via a plurality of sensing lines and output thesensing signals, wherein the sensing channels are coupled to the sensinglines in a normal arrangement, wherein the normal arrangement indicatesthat the sensing channels are sequentially coupled to the sensing lines;and a signal convertor, coupled to the sensing channels and configuredto receive the sensing signals from the sensing channels in a sequencedifferent from a normal sequence, wherein the normal sequence indicatesthat the signal convertor sequentially receives the sensing signals fromthe sensing channels.
 8. The driver according to claim 7, wherein thesignal convertor receives the sensing signals from the sensing channelsin a random sequence, wherein the random sequence indicates that thesignal convertor randomly receives the sensing signals from the sensingchannels.
 9. The driver according to claim 8, further comprising: aplurality of input pads, corresponding to the sensing lines; and aplurality of first switch elements, coupled between the input pads andthe sensing channels, wherein the first switch elements are coupled tothe sensing channels according to the normal arrangement.
 10. The driveraccording to claim 9, wherein the first switch elements are controlledby a first control signal, and the first switch elements are conductedby the first control signal at the same time when the sensing channelsreceive the sensing signals from the display panel.
 11. The driveraccording to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of second switchelements, coupled between the sensing channels and the signal convertor.12. The driver according to claim 11, wherein the second switch elementsare controlled by a plurality of second control signals, and the secondswitch elements are conducted according to the random sequence by thesecond control signals when the sensing channels output the sensingsignals to the signal convertor.
 13. A driver of a display panel, thedriver comprising: a plurality of sensing channels, configured toreceive a plurality of sensing signals from the display panel via aplurality of sensing lines and output the sensing signals, wherein thesensing channels are coupled to the sensing lines in a randomarrangement, wherein the random arrangement indicates that the sensingchannels are randomly coupled to the sensing lines; and a signalconvertor, coupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive thesensing signals from the sensing channels in a sequence different from arandom sequence, wherein the random sequence indicates that the signalconvertor randomly receives the sensing signals from the sensingchannels.
 14. The driver according to claim 13, wherein the signalconvertor receives the sensing signals from the sensing channels in anormal sequence, wherein the normal sequence indicates that the signalconvertor sequentially receives the sensing signals from the sensingchannels.
 15. A driver of a display panel, the driver comprising: aplurality of sensing channels, configured to receive a plurality ofsensing signals from the display panel via a plurality of sensing linesand output the sensing signals, wherein the sensing channels are coupledto the sensing lines in an arrangement different from a randomarrangement, wherein the random arrangement indicates that the sensingchannels are randomly coupled to the sensing lines; and a signalconvertor, coupled to the sensing channels and configured to receive thesensing signals from the sensing channels in a random sequence, whereinthe random sequence indicates that the signal convertor randomlyreceives the sensing signals from the sensing channels.
 16. The driveraccording to claim 15, wherein the sensing channels are coupled to thesensing lines in a normal arrangement, wherein the normal arrangementindicates that the sensing channels are sequentially coupled to thesensing lines.